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The 1.8 TFSI aside, what we have here today is the ‘entry-level’ variant: the 1.4 TFSI. Yes it shares the same powerplant as the Golf, but somewhat this one feels - and I swear it isn’t psychological - smoother. And of course, this is a good thing (and expected), considering the almost $44,000 (equivalent to a five year old, highly-spec’d Fiat Bravo T-Jet, egad!) separating the two. Hmm… You can’t help but wonder whether that significant difference in price between the two is justified — after all, the Golf and this new A3 is, technically, the same car.

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Table Top | Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI

IN Audi, A3, Sportback, TFSI, 1.4, Audi A3, Premium Automobiles

The entry level A3 has so much going on for it; surprise, surprise, surprise...

Okay back to the car… the 458 spider. It is ridiculously good, for the first time that after giving the car back, my Jag suddenly feels like it has lost a few cylinders. I was having pretty bad withdrawal symptoms for the next few days.

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N.GINE Archives | Ferrari 458 Spider

IN Ferrari, 458, Spyder, Ital Auto

The already sexy Ferrari 458 goes topless! Dr Kevin Co takes it for a spin to see if anyone notices the difference.

In a comparison of peak and off-peak travel times, Bukit Timah recorded a 111 per cent increase in travel times in the mornings and a 97 per cent increase in evening travel times. In the latest study this year, Clementi featured as the second worst suburb for the morning commute, with a 97 per cent increase in travel time during peak-hours compared to free flow traffic, extending its position as one of Singapore’s most congested suburbs during peak-hour since the pioneer study was published in 2010. It was ranked as the third worst suburb for evening commute with a 93 per cent increase in travel time.

Happenings

Traffic Study Underscores Traffic Challenges In Singapore

IN TomTom, Traffic, Congestion, Road Conditions, Bukit Timah

TomTom Traffic Time Study highlights Bukit Timah as the worst suburb for both morning and afternoon peak-hour commute.

BP: Some people have said that the best racing drivers didn’t pass their driving tests on the first try - Jenson Button for example. How many attempts did you take to obtain your driver’s licence?
Alain: I did the test when I was 18 years old, the normal age at the time, and passed on the first try. (chuckles)

BP: What was your first car, and what’s your preference for your road cars you drive?

Alain: I never liked driving sports cars. When you’re driving in Formula 1 you want something a little more comfortable. The first car I bought was an Opel Kadett GT/E, which was a rally car. Unfortunately, that was the only car I had an accident with. I was going quite slow to be honest, but it was on gravel, and my friend and I ended up going 30m down the (side of a) hill. I’d only had the car three weeks, so that was quite a bad experience!

BP: I understand that your son is currently a test driver for Lotus. How is he going with that? With Kimi moving to Ferrari, might there be a spot for him next year?

Alain: It is never impossible, because he has done a good job in the last two years, and spent a lot of time on the simulator. But being a development driver, he is very focused, and it is a different way of working and it is very good for the team. Being a race driver is going to be another different thing, with qualifying one lap or doing the start, (or) even if he races in endurance or other types of races. So it is two different things and I realised it and he knows it himself that it will be difficult for him to be chosen by the team but you never know.

BP: All the best for that!

Motorsports

A Meeting With The Professor

IN Renault, Alain Prost, Prost, Wearnes,

Racing drivers live and breathe motorsports throughout their careers, but have you ever wondered what happens when they stop?

As part of the launch, Red Bull Racing F1 driver Mark Webber made an appearance at NUS to catch up with the engineering students and Prof. Seah Kar Heng. The faculty received the driver with a warm welcome and managed to get some advise and encouragement from the Australian racer.

Happenings

Infiniti Offers Top Budding Engineers Work Placements In F1

IN Infiniti, National University of Singapore, Mark Webber, NUS, Red Bull Racing

In this chance of a lifetime, Infiniti is offering performance-driven engineering graduates an exclusive opportunity to work in Formula One via a new global talent search initiative.

Setting the R apart from other Golfs are different bumpers front and rear, as well as a diffuser and quad chrome-tipped tailpipes. 18-inch ‘Cadiz’ wheels are standard, 19s an option, and the R gets a unique paint colour called Lapis Blue metallic. Inside, you get sports seats trimmed in alcantara or Nappa leather, stainless steel pedals and door sills, as well as a smattering of R badges throughout the interior, including on the leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Happenings

Rated R for Rapid

IN Volkwagen, Golf, R, VW, Hot hatch

Not long ago, the Golf R32/Golf R had its corner of the market to itself, its power and price elevating it above tamer hatches. But with new rivals from premium brands, is the Golf R still the daddy?

With its official combined fuel consumption of 16.6 km/L, the Jetta Sport 1.4 TSI was a natural choice for the Shell FuelSave Challenge. Its 1.4 TSI Twincharger engine with 160 bhp and 240 Nm of torque blends dynamic performance with outstanding fuel efficiency.

Happenings

More fuel economy records for the Jetta and Shell

IN Shell, Volkswagen, FuelSave

The Volkswagen Jetta Sport 1.4 TSI proved its impressive efficiency in the real world last weekend, with a record 20.8 km/L achieved at the Shell FuelSave Challenge 2013.

With McLaren’s thirty years’ experience working with carbonfibre (first carbonfibre chassis in Formula One and first all carbon-bodied road car, the F1), it comes as no surprise that the P1 is entirely constructed from the black weave — right down to its central load-bearing structure, the MonoCage tub. And since carbonfibre is moulded, the body panels could be shaped in far more complex and extreme ways than if they were made of steel or aluminium. Indeed, it is a real treat to witness and examine the P1 in the flesh, where you can’t help but marvel at how sculpted the car looks. Pictures alone do not do it justice.

Happenings

McLaren P1 Makes Southeast Asian Debut

IN McLaren, P1, Wearnes, McLaren Automotive, Hypercar, F1

Singapore is the first stop for the P1 as it makes its way around the region

“With the latest development in car ownership, we understand that Singaporean drivers are seeking to maintain their cars for as long as possible. Bosch offers advanced competencies in diagnostics to improve the accuracy in identifying faults within a vehicle, thus enabling technicians to make more well-informed repair work,” said Neo Chee Cheong, Regional Director of Workshop Concepts for Bosch in Asia Pacific. “With Bosch Car Service capable of serving the vast majority of car makes and models, we are confident that motorists will appreciate the availability of quality automotive maintenance and repair solutions coupled with the accessibility of Caltex service stations.”

Happenings

First Bosch Car Service Workshop Now At Caltex East Coast Station

IN Caltex, Bosch, Service, Workshop, Station

Motorists in Singapore the first in Southeast Asia to experience Bosch’s Premium Car Services at Caltex

Happenings

V Is For Victory

IN Aston, Martin, Aston Martin, Vanquish, Volante, Convertible, V12

Aston Martin’s 100th anniversary celebrations continue with another V12 beauty

The natural trade-off though, is in its ability to carve a corner. Despite how tall the Forester is, body roll is less prevalent than expected, no doubt thanks to the Boxer drivetrain’s low centre of gravity, but unless you really enjoy feeling a car at its limit no matter how easily reached it is (which I do), there’s not much reward to be gained from hustling it. The tyres are designed for low rolling resistance and hence give up very easily, running out of grip at even moderate speeds, while the electric steering, though light and easy to twirl at parking speeds, has a vague, non-linear response during the first few degrees of lock. On initial turn-in the steering feels overly light but after that it firms up, with nice weighting and progression through the rest of the turn.

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The Family Rocketship | Subaru Forester 2.0XT

IN Subaru, Forester, XT, Turbo, X-mode, AWD, Review

With the next generation of WRXes and STIs still at least a year or two away, it’s up to the 4th-generation Forester to uphold the turbocharged mantle in the Subaru stable.

First up, the engine lineup will remain the same as before. That means a turbo'ed 2.0-litre in the sDrive20i and sDrive 28i, and a twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight 6 in the sDrive35is. Transmission options are an 8-speed ZF automatic for the 20i and 28i, and a 7-speed DCT for the 35is (although we'd totally recommend asking the dealer to indent you a car with the slick 6-speed manual).

Happenings

Facelifted BMW Z4 Arrives In Singapore

IN BMW, Z4, Performance Motors, Roadster, Sports, Convertible, Facelift

BMW’s roadster receives a slight nip-tuck and some new equipment options.

Unveiled to clients and family during Vanishing Point 2013, the International Pagani gathering, the Revolucion would be the ultimate Zonda. Just like the Cinque and the R, the Revolucion has a Carbo-tanium central monocoque which weighs it in at 1070 kg. This lightweight shell is pushed around courtesy of an 800 bhp 6.0-liter V12, resulting in an impressive 748 bhp per tonne.

Happenings

The Last Of Its Kind

IN Pagani, Zonda, Revolucion, R, V12, Track

Pagani builds the ultimate Zonda to celebrate the end of its production run.

When BMW first introduced the F10 M5, many complained about the relative lack of exhaust noise as compared to its V10-powered predecessor. Sure, it may give one less aural pleasure, but the performance gains more than made up for it. However, in terms of aesthetics, BMW still has some way to go before the F10 could look anywhere near as good as its grandfathers.

Happenings

BMW Updates The M5 For 2014!

IN BMW, M5, Competition, F10, 5-series, V8, Turbo

BMW’s flagship performance sedan gets a nip and tuck

Happenings

What The F?

IN Lexus, GS, F-SPORT, Kirk Edmondson, Borneo Motors, LFA, IS-F

We sit down with Kirk Edmondson, General Manager - Brand Management for Lexus Asia Pacific Division, and chat about what Lexus is doing with their F-SPORT range.

Not quite enjoying the same full-fledged performance status as its R models, R-Line is instead more akin to BMW’s M-Sport: appearance packages for its ordinary models to look like their more sporting stablemates. As such, the Tiguan R-Line features body-coloured front, rear and side skirts with a purposeful looking rear diffuser, as well as a roof spoiler and new 19-inch ‘Mallory’ alloys with beefy 225/40 tyres.

Happenings

Two Special VW SUVs Land Here!

IN VW, Volkswagen, Tiguan, Touareg, R-Line, R, SUV, Edition, X

Both the Tiguan R-Line and Touareg Edition X arrive to mark significant milestones in each model’s history.

To be fair though, the Audi TT Ultra Quattro Concept isn’t all max power and unhinged lunacy. In fact, the thinking behind it is fairly inspired — using Audi’s racing experience to shed massive amounts of weight: the car weighs just 1,111kg, 300 less than the TTS on which it’s based.

Happenings

Superleicht

IN Audi, TT, Quattro, Concept, Worthersee, Festival, Lightweight, TSI

Like a Superleggera, but German. The Audi Audi TT Ultra Quattro Concept makes Lamborghini's (and indeed everyone else's) efforts at a lightweight special seem completely inadequate.